In-line fuse holders



United States Patent O 3,243,550 lN-LINE FUSE HOLDERS Jesse R. Hollins, 1059 E. 22nd St., Brooklyn 10, N.Y.

Filed Aug. 24, 1964, Ser, No. 391,532

7 Claims. (Cl. 200-119) This invention relates to inline fuse holders and, specifically, to an in-line holder for accommodating cartridge-type fuses of different lengths.

In automotive vehicle electrical circuits, cartridge-type fuses mounted inan ineline fuse holder are extensively utilized to guard against damage to such a circuit from electrical overloading. In my United States Letters Patent No. 2,707,736 for Fuse Holders, there is disclosed an in-line fuse holder assembly which accommodates a cartridge-type fuse of specific length. My previous fuse holder comprises a tubular casing or sleeve and a pair of sockets, each detachably connected to a different end of the sleeve by a bayonet-type coupling. Each socket carries an electrical contact arranged to abut an associated end cap on the fuse. Each contact is in turn connected to an electrical wire, which is adapted to be connected into an electrical circuit.

When it is desired to have the f-use holder accept a fuse of a different length, the holder is assembled with a lsleeve of a different length, suited to the length of the new fuse. Each sleeve, though of diierent length, has a 'similar bayonet-type coupling at each end, so that the same sockets can be quickly attached to any sleeve, regardless of its length, at each end thereof. l

By the use of the sockets and -several sizes of sleeves, an in-line holder is made available which can be easily assembled and installed to accept cartridge-type fuses of all standard lengths, and which can be quickly inserted into the automobile electri-cal circuit. Further, blown fuses can lbe readily replaced by a mechanic or the operator, when necessary. And if it becomes desirable to change the rating of the fuse and t-hus the length of the fuse (the fuses being of like diameter) which the holder can accommodate, another length sleeve is substituted by a iieldA mechanic.

Although my previous fuse holder is extremely valuable for ,the purposes stated, itY is inconvenient for the assembler to stock sleeves of sever-al differentlengths so as to accommodate fuses of diierent lengths. Furthen over a period of time, the spare sleeves of diierent lengths originally furnished `with each sale are lost or misplaced by the garage mechanic or the operator of the automotive vehiclef j' It is an object ofmy invention to provide a universa in-line fuse holder for cartridge-type fuses i.e. a fuse holder which canvreadily accommodate fuses of different llengths without stocking or using sleeves of different lengths to substitute for the sleeve of the fuse holder.

Itis another object of my invention to provide a universal fuse holder of the character described which can be quickly and conveniently adjusted, i.e. lengthened on shortened, to receive fusesof dierent lengths. Y

It is a further object of my invention to provide a universa-l fuse holder of the character described which can be telescoped to accommodate fuses of various lengths by the hands of the operator alone, and wit-hout requiring the application of hand tools.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a universal fuse holder of the character described whereiniirm electrical contact is made with the conductive end caps on the fuses, regardless -of the eifective length of the 4fuse holder. y

It is -a further object of my invention to prov-ide a universal fuse holder of the character described wherein a blown fuse can be extracted and replaced with a fresh fuse in a'speedy, efficient and convenient manner.

ICC

It is a further object of my invention to provide a universal fuse holder of the character described having only a few parts, which is simple and rugged in construction, which can be manufactured by mass production methods, and which can be sold at a relatively low cost per item.

In general, I provide ya universal fuse holder to acf commodate cartridge-type fuses of different lengths and to incorporate the 4fuse ensheat-hed by the holder into an automotive electrical circuit. The fuse holder includes an elongated lhollow open-ended casing or sleeve, and a' pair of sockets, each socket being slidably mounted within a different end of the sleeve. Each socket carries an electrical contact which in turn is connected to an in sulated electrical wire which is arranged to be connected in line with an electrical `circuit of the automotive vehicle. The sleeve of the holder encloscs the body of the fuse, and the contacts are lbiased into abutment with and are thereby electrically connected to the conductive end caps on the fuse.

Both of the sockets are detachable from and, in accordance ywith the teaching of my invention, can be positioned at any one of several longitudinal locations on their respective ends of the sleeve. To this end, each socket is detachably lslidably connected to the sleeve by a bayonet-type coupling. This bayonet-typegcoupling' in-l cludes diametrically opposed slots in the cylindrical wall of the sleeve, and outwardly protruding lugs on the socket. However, rather than each bayonet slot having the usual single retroverted transverse branch, two or more retroverted longitudinally spaced transverse branches are offset from each slot. Thereby, each of the sockets can be located at one of several longitudinally spaced locations on the end of the sleeve, and thu's the space between the sockets can be varied through a wide range.'v Hence, a variety of lengths of fuses can be accommodated byny universal fuse holder without replacement or suibstitution of ycomponent parts of the holder. K

Other objects of my invention Will in part be obvious and -in part will be set forth hereinafter.

My invention accordingly consists in the features' of construction, combination of elements and arrangements of pa-rts which will be exemplified in'thefusevholders i.

hereinafter described and of which the scope of Vapplication will be indicated in the appended claims. In the accompanying drawings, in which I have shown various possible, embodiments of my invention, f FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of-a universal` fuse holder constructed in accordance with my inventiomll :1 FIG. 2 is a 'longitudinal axial c'r'oss sectional view ofzthe fuse holder taken substantially along the line 2 2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a transverse cross sectional .view ftakensub stantially along the line 33 of FIG. l; and FIG. 4 is a View similar to FIG. 2, but illustrating another embodiment of my invention. p i Referring now to the drawings and especially to FIGS, 1 to 3, the reference numeral 10 denotes a universal in# line fuse holder constructed in accordance with'the teache ing of my invention to receive, without substitution of parts, fuses in a variety of lengths. The fuse holderrs designed to incorporate cartridge-type fuses 12 jin 'an automotive electrical circuit. i, f Typically suchl a fuse is somewhat elongated and` in'- cludes a transparent dielectric hollow' cylindrical bbdy 14 and `a pair of conductive end caps 16, each capvclosingfa different end ofthe body 14. Electrically co'nectin'gthe caps 16 and supported therebetween is` a low resistance fuse link 18 which is designed tolmelt uporrthe passage through the fuse of current in excess of a predetermined amperage. v v 1; 4

The fuse holder l() comprises an elongated hollow right lcylindrical casing or sleeve 2t). Said sleeve has both of its ends open, is of a uniform outside diameter, of uniform wall thickness, and in both its length and interior diameter is greater 'than like dimensions of the largest fuse whichtthe fuse holder is designed to accommodate. The sleeve` is typicallyl formed from sheet metal. The fuse holder 1t) further includes a pair of identical right cylindrical sockets, that is, as seen in FIG. 1, a left socket 22 and a right socket 24. Each of the sockets is preferably formed from a conventional dielectric material, e.g.-1a synthetic resin. Each of the sockets 22, 24 is slidably received within a diffegentopen end of the sleeve 20 and, for this purpose, the outside diameter of each socket is somewhat smaller than, yet closely matches the interior diameter ofthe sleeve 20.

Each socket 22, 24 in its interior denes an inwardly opening cylindrical cup-shaped portion, respectively, 26, 28 and ,has a leading aring mouth, respectively, 30, 32. 'iT-he interior diameter of each of the cup-shaped portions 26, 28 is ,somewhat larger than the outside diameter of the end caps 16, and the axes of the cup-shaped portions 261, 28 of the sockets 22, 24 and of the sleeve 2th are concentric.

i vEach socket 22, 424 further includes an axial bore 34, which on one end leads into the afliliated cup-shaped portion of the socket and on the other end passes through the exterior end of the socket, The exterior end of each of the sockets vis always'exposed beyond the corresponding end'of the sleeve and is knurled as at 3S to facilitate easy gripping. t

.- Each socket -houses within its cup-shaped portion an electrical contact 36, such as a metal eyelet, which is biased into abutment with and thus electrical connection with its afliated end cap 16 on the fuse 12. Each contact` 36 comprises a fiat disc 38 of substantially the same Adiameter as its afliated end cap 16 and a collar 40 integral with the disc land extending from the disc axially ,towards 'the exterior of the fuse holder.

To each contact 36 is secured, as by crimping or solder- `ing'vvithin the collar, the bare end of an insulated wire 42. Each wire runs from its atiiliated contact through l,at least a part of the atiliated cup-shaped portion of the socket, through the bore'34 in the socket, and then away from the fuse holder 10. The free ends of the wires 42 are adapted to be connected in line in an automotive electrical circuit. .i vInterposed between each contact 36 and the bottom wall of its ailiated cup-shaped portion of the socket is a com- Ipression coil spring 44. Each coil spring encircles its affiliated wire 42 within its cup-shaped portion, and is of ai'd-iameter larger than the diameter of the bore 34. Each "coil spring biases its atiiliated contact 36 axially away from the yrear wall ofthe cup-shaped portion, i.e. the contacts are biased towards one another.

vAs had been said, each `socket 22, 24 is slidable longitudinally in its ailiat'ed end of the sleeve 20, and means is provided to detachably x each socket in a selected one of plural predetermined locations longitudinally along its athliated end ofthe sleeve. To this end, a bayonettype coupling is utilized to detachably secure each socket in a position on its .respective end of the sleeve 20. Each of said bayonet couplings comprises a pair of diametrically opposed slots 46 lin the 'cylindrical wall of the sleeve, each slot running parallel to the axis of the sleeve 20. Each of said slots has its outermost ends open.

Each pair of slots is located at a different end of the sleeve 20 and each of the slots has several (two or more) longitudinally4 spaced matched retroverted transverse branches-leading from such slot.

Each socket.j.22, `24 carries a pair of diametrically opposed-radially .outwardly protruding lugs 50, each of the lugs being cylindrical and of a diameter slightly, e.g.

4 1&2, less than the width of the slot 46 and the width of the branches 48.

Turning then to the operation of my universal fuse holder, each socket 22, 24 can be quickly, easily and conveniently separated from the sleeve by rotation of the socket in a direction such that the lugs Sti move out of their affiliated branches 48 and into the main channel of the slots 46. Then, the sockets are separated from the sleeve by simply pulling the sockets out with the lugs travelling along the slots. Access can then be had t0 a fuse which is within the fuse holder, so that if the fuse is blown, it can be replaced with a fresh fuse.

After replacement of the fuse, one or both sockets can be reattached to their respective ends of the sleeve by simply first sliding the lugs 50 along the slots 46 and then rotating the sockets, so that the lugs slip into any desired set of branches 48. The 'coil springs 44 press on one end against the contacts 36 and on their other end against `the sockets and force the lugs 50 against the outermost portions of the Walls of the branches 48.

With the fuse holder .1 6 thus assembled, and as illustrated most clearly in FIG. 2, the sleeve 20 kencircles the body 14 of the fuse and the caps 16 of the `fuse are received in the cup-shaped `portions 26, 28 of the sockets. The contacts 36 carried by each of the sockets arer urged into abutment with and are thuselectrically connected to the caps 16 by the compression coil springs 44.

The effective distance or gap between the sockets 22, 24 can be quickly and conveniently varied to accommodate fuses 12 of different lengths. Standard size SFE fuses, as well .as commercial type SAG glass fuses, customarily employed in automotive vehicles, vary in lengthy from 3/s to 17/16" and all have a uniform diameter of 1A.

In order to adjust my universal fuse holder 10 to accommodate the longest fuses, each socket '22, 24 is located so that its lugs Si) are seated in the pair of branches 48 nearest the 'ends of the sleeve. To accommodatethe shorter length-s of fuses, the sockets are located so that their lugs 50 are located in the innermost pair of branches 48 on the respective sets of slots 46. For intermediate length fuses, one of the sockets is located in its innermost set of branches and the other of the sockets is located in the outermost of its branches. The knurled ends 35 of the sockets are always exposed, even when a socket is in its innermost position.

The sockets can thus be adjusted to provide three different effective gaps therebetween. However, since there are several sizes of fuses within the `range of these gaps, each of -the cup-shaped portions 26, 28 is relatively quite deep to receive the ends of the fuse, and each of the coil springs 44 is relatively long and strong so as to insure firm engagement between vthe contacts 36, 38 and their associated end caps 16. Thereby, with the sockets spaced any one of the three predetermined gaps apart, several lengths of fuses can be accommodated, a rela-` tively lon-ger fuse having its ends inserted further into the cup-shaped portions and fur-ther compressing both of the coil springs 44 and forcing the contacts 36, 38 further apart from one another.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of my present invention. Only those parts of the second embodiment which are different from those illustrated in the first embodiment will be discussed. vIn the universal fuse holder 52 incorporating the second embodiment of my invention, only one socket S4 can be located at one of plural Y positions longitudinally along the end of the sleeve 20 and can be separated from the sleeve. This socket 54 is similar in construction to the sockets 22, 24 previously described, except that the cup-shaped portion 28 thereof is somewhat longer and the coil spring 44 which it encloses is also longer. The bayonet-type coupling previously described is provided in only one end of the sleeve 20' of the second embodiment 52, this being the same end at which the socket 54 is located. To give the fuse holder the same latitude'of adjustability, three sets of spaced matched 'retroverted transverse branches 48 are provided along the pair of opposed longitudinal slots of the bayonet coupling and the lugs of the socket 54 can be engaged in any set of branches.

The other end of the sleeve is closed as at 56 except for a central bore 58 in this end through which the insulated wire 42' passes. Further, the coil spring 45 at this end of the sleeve 20' is compressed between the dielectric `socket 22 and the closed end 56 of the sleeve. The contact 36 is carried at the end of the wire 42. The spring can be omitted, if desired from the in-line fuse holder shown in FIG. 4.

Although I have described the present invention as specifically applied to the motor vehicle iield, it is to be understood that the same can be used in other fields such as aircraft and marine as well as with other equipment requiring fuse protection.

It thus will be seen -that I have provided universal fuse holders which achieve the several objects of my invention and which are well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein described or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described the invention, I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A universal in-line fuse holder for incorporating any one length cartridge-type fuse of a Variety of lengths of such fuses into an electrical circuit, without any substitution of parts of the holder, each such fuse having a body and conductive end caps, said holder comprising: an elongated sleeve enclosing the body of the fuse, a pair of opposed sockets each arranged to receive a different end of the fuse, two mounting means each mounting an associated socket on a different end of the sleeve, a pair of contacts each engaged by a different socket and each abutting and thus electrically engaging a different end cap of the fuse, insulated wires each electrically connected to a different contact and adapted to be connected into the electrical circuit, and spring means biasing the contacts into engagement with the end caps of the fuse, at least one of said mounting means including positioning means selectively detachably fixing the associated socket in any one of plural predetermined locations longitudinally along the end of the sleeve so as to vary the effective gap between the sockets within the sleeve whereby to accommodate fuses of various lengths.

2. A universal in-line fuse holder for incorporating any one length cartridge-type fuse of a variety of lengths of such fuses into an electrical circuit, Without any substitution of parts of the holder, each such fuse having a body and conductive end caps, said holder comprising: an elongated sleeve enclosing the body of the fuse, a pair of opposed sockets each arranged to receive a different end of the fuse, two mounting means each mounting an associated socket on a different end of the sleeve, a pair of contacts each engaged by a different socket and each abutting and thus electrically engaging a diierent end cap of the fuse, insulated Wires each electrically connected to a different contact and adapted to be connected into the electrical circuit, and spring means biasing the contacts into engagement with the end caps of the fuse, at least one of said mounting means including positioning means selectively detachably xing the associated socket in any one of plural predetermined locations longitudinally along the end of the sleeve so as to vary the effective gap between the sockets within the sleeve whereby to ac' commodate fuses of various lengths, said positioning means including bayonet coupling members, one of said members being carried by the sleeve at one end thereof,

and the other of said members being carried by said associated socket.

3. A universal in-line fuse holder for incorporating any one length cartridge-type fuse of a variety of lengths of such fuses into an electrical circuit, Without any substitution of parts of the holder, each such fuse having a body and conductive endcaps, said holder comprising: an elongated sleeve enclosing the body of the fuse, a pair of opposed sockets each arranged to receive a different end of the lfuse, two mounting means each mounting an associated socket on a different end of the sleeve, a pair of contacts each engaged by a different socket and each abutting and thus electrically engaging a different end cap of the fuse, insulated wires each electrically connected to a different contact and adapted to be connected into the electrical circuit, and spring means biasing the contacts into engagement wi-th the end caps of the fuse, at least one of said mounting means including positioning means selectively detachably fixing the associated socket in any one of plural predetermined locations longitudinally valong the end of the sleeve so as to vary the effective gap between the sockets within the sleeve where-by to accommodate fuses of Various lengths, said positioning means including bayonet coupling members, one of said members being carried by the sleeve at one end thereof, and the other of said members being carried by the socket, one of said members comprising a protruding lug, and the other of said members comprising a slot with retroverted branches longitudinally spaced along the slot and arranged to selectively engage the lug.

4. A universal in-line fuse holder for incorporating any one length lcartridge-type fuse of a variety of lengths lof such fuses into an electric-al circuit, without any substitution of parts of the holder, each such -fuse having a body and conductive end caps, said holder comprising: Ian elongated sleeve enclosing the body of .the fuse, a pair of opposed sockets each .arranged to receive a different end of the fuse, two mounting means each mounting an associated socket on a diiferent end of the sleeve, a pair of contacts each engaged -by a diierent socket and each abutting and .thus electrically engaging a different end cap of the fuse, insulated .wires each electrically connected to a different contact andadapted to be connected into the electrical circuit, and spring means biasing the contacts into engagement with the end cap of the fuse, at least one of said mounting means including positioning means selectively detachably ixing the associated socket in any 'one of plural predetermined locations longitudinally along the end of the sleeve so as to vary the effective gap between the sockets within the sleeve .whereby to accommodate fuses of various lengths, said positioning means including lbayonet coupling members, one of said members being carried by the sleeve at one end thereof, said member comprising a slot in the Wall of the sleeve with retroverted branches longitudinally spaced along the slot, and the other of said members being carried by the socket and comprising an axially protruding lug, said lug being arranged to engage any selected one of said branches.

5. A universal in-line -fuse holder for incorporating any one length cartridgeatype fuse of a variety of lengths of such fuses into an electrical circuit, without any substitution of parts of the holder, each such fuse having a body and conductive end caps, said holder comprising: an elongated sleeve enclosing the body of t-he fuse, a pair of opposed sockets each 4arranged to receive a different end of .the lfuse, two mounting means each mounting an associated socket on a different end of the sleeve, a pair of rcontacts each engaged by a diierent socket and each abutting and thus electrically engaging a different end cap of the fuse, insulated wires each electrically connected to a different contact and adapted to be connected into the electrical circuit, and spring means biasing the .contacts into engagement with the end caps of the fuse, each of said mounting means including positioning means selec- `thereof carrying mating others of the members;

` 6. A universal in-line fuse holder as set forth in claim S wherein the bayonet coupling member on the sleeve comprises two pairs of diametrically opposed slots in the wall of the sleeve, one pair of slots being located on each end of the sleeve and each slot having an open end, and retroverted branches longitudinally spaced along each slot, and wherein the bayonet coupling member on each of the sockets comprises diametrically opposed radially outwardly protruding lugs selectively mating with branches of a pair of slots.

7. A universal in-line fuse holder for incorporating any one length cartridge-type fuse of a variety of lengths of such fuses into an electrical circuit, without any substitution of parts of the hol-der, each such fuse having a body and conductive endvcaps, said holder comprising: `an elongated sleeve enclosing the body of the fuse, a pair of opposed sockets each arranged to receive a different end of the fuse, tfwo mounting means each mounting an associated socket on a dilferent end of the sleeve, a pair 8 of contacts each engaged by a different socket and each abutting and thus electrically engaging a ditrerent end cap ory the fuse, insulated wires each electrical-1y connected to a different contact and adapted .to be .connected into the electrical circuit, and spring means .biasing the contacts into engagement with the end caps of the fuse, one of said mounting means including positioning means selectively detachably fixing the associated socket in any one of plural predetermined locations longitudinally along an open end of the sleeve so as to vary the effective gap between the sockets within the sleeve whereby to accommodate fuses of various lengths, said positioning means including bayonet coupling members, one of said members being carried by Ithe sleeve at one end thereof and comprising diametrically opposed slots in the Wall of the sleeve, each of said slots having an open end, and retroverted branches longitudinally spaced along the slots, and the other of said members being carried by the socket and comprising diametrically opposed axially loutwardly protruding lugs, said lugs selectively mating with branches or the pair of slots, the other Iof said mounting means capturing `the associated socket in a closed end of the sleeve.l

No references cited.

BERNARD A.y G'ILHEANY, Primary Examiner. H. B. GILsoN, Assistant Examiner; 

1. A UNIVERSAL IN-LINE FUSE HOLDER FOR INCORPORATING ANY ONE LENGTH CARTRIDGE-TYPE FUSE OF A VARIETY OF LENGTHS OF SUCH FUSES INTO AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT, WITHOUT ANY SUBSTITUTION OF PARTS OF THE HOLDER, EACH SUCH FUSE HAVING A BODY AND CONDUCTIVE END CAPS, SAID HOLDER COMPRISING: AN ELONGATED SLEEVE ENCLOSING THE BODY OF THE FUSE, A PAIR OF OPPOSED SOCKETS EACH ARRANGED TO RECEIVE A DIFFERENT END OF THE FUSE, TWO MOUNTING MEANS EACH MOUNTING AN ASSOCIATED SOCKET ON A DIFFERENT END OF THE SLEEVE, A PAIR OF CONTACTS EACH ENGAGED BY A DIFFERENT SOCKET AND EACH ABUTTING AND THUS ELECTRICALLY ENGAGING A DIFFERENT END CAP OF THE FUSE, INSULATED WIRES EACH ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED TO A DIFFERENT CONTACT AND ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED INTO THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT, AND SPRING MEANS BIASING THE CONTACTS INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE END CAPS OF THE FUSE, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID MOUNTING MEANS INCLUDING POSITIONING MEANS SELECTIVELY DETACHABLY FIXING THE ASSOCIATED SOCKET IN ANY ONE OF PLURAL PREDETERMINED LOCATIONS LONGITUDINALLY ALONG THE END OF THE SLEEVE SO AS TO VARY THE EFFECTIVE GAP BETWEEN THE SOCKETS WITHIN THE SLEEVE WHEREBY TO ACCOMMODATE FUSES OF VARIOUS LENGTHS. 